Austin has been working at Papa's shop or doing yard work for him. It has been a great opportunity to get some work experience, make some money and hang out at Nanny and Papas'. Evan has been a few times as well.
I bought a pressure canner and a water bath canner with all the accessories and made my first batch of cooked strawberry jam. It tasted delicious but I would have liked it to have set up a little firmer. My square foot garden has mostly been a success. The tomato plants grew so big that they broke or collapsed the cages. I planted some heirloom varieties that have been fun to try. I have harvested squash, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, cherry tomatos, black prince tomatos, yellow tomatos, strawberries (just a couple dozen here and there) beets, and okra. The leeks and carrots are a bust, (squash plants overshadowing them) and my beans are already dying. I have a better plan for next year, this one was an experiment of sorts. I should have taken a picture at its peak because it really was a sight to see.
Dania has been my biggest garden helper, so our next venture is canned squash pickles and canning green beans. She does like to work in the kitchen with me, and she likes to make up her own little soups or stews with the trimmings and stuff that would normally go in the compost heap:)
